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Salaams all,

Just saw that movie again for the first time in full.  I really think that some of the older sister's that are divorced or single on here need to watch it and try the muslim version of it.  Since they don't like polygyny..they should find happiness in marriage some kind of way! 

Just my two cents! 

As Salaamu Alaikum all,

For those that recognize this as a new year on the calender:

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND MAY YOU HAVE A BLESSED AND PROSPEROUS ONE AS WELL! 

As Salaamu Alaikum forum,

How many have read Layth's new article here?: http://free-minds.org/articles/science/qadr.htm

I am curious to know how many people agree or disagree with the conclusions contained therein.

Some other quick questions:

December 21 or 22 corresponds with what season or time in the Middle East (Saudi/Jerusalaam area)?

Does anyone who is familiar with weather patterns and climate change know whether or not the climate in the Middle East where Isa was born could have changed drastically over the last 2000 years so that it's seasons are at different times now?

Do you feel that it is a stretch to declare the "longest night" as the Night of Power without any further evidence other than it makes sense since Allah prefers the night and therefore must have chosen the longest one?

Is the longest night in America or North America the longest night in all the northern hemisphere? (We know it's not in the Southern Hemisphere)

Considering my post here http://free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=15667.0

Wouldn't fasting only be required for those on Hajj or for expiation of sins?

Your Quranic input is appreciated.

As Salaamu Alaikum, 

[PolygamyOne of the most wide spread myths that has been associated with God's religion over the centuries is the issue of "Polygamy". It is customary for people when they think of Islam, or even when they embrace Islam, that they automatically have a license to marry more than one wife (upto a maximum of 4). Men tend to fantasize that this is due to the high sexual libido that God has given them and that it is part of their Homo-Sapien right of male domination. Even women in the Islamic world have come to accept the idea of Polygamy as being ordained by God and therefore not open for debate or questioning. The woman in Islamic society may not like the idea of sharing her husband with other women, but it is a fact of life she has been taught to accept and respect. Did the Lord of the Universe realize that Muslim men were hormone driven animals that needed the sexual satisfaction of more than one mate? Or is it us who as usual interpret God's revelations with our desires rather than our brains?. Where in the Quran can we find this command that justifies Polygamy? "You shall hand over to the ORPHANS* their rightful properties. Do not substitute the bad for the good, and do not consume their properties by combining them with yours. This would be a gross injustice. If you fear that you will not be equitable towards the ORPHANS*, then you may marry those who are agreeable to you of the women: two, and three, and four. If you fear lest you become unfair, then you shall be content with only one, or with what you already have. Additionally, you are thus more likely to avoid financial hardship." (4/2-3) "They consult you concerning women: say, "GOD enlightens you regarding them, as recited for you in the scripture. The mothers of ORPHANS* that you wish to marry but do not give them their due dowries, you shall be just. The rights of young boys must also be protected. You shall treat the orphans equitably. Whatever good you do, GOD is fully aware thereof." (4/127) * Orphans in Arabic (Yatama) is used for a child who has lost his father. A child who has lost his mother is not considered an Orphan in Arabic. Any reader of the above verse does not have to be a genius to understand that Polygamy is CONDITIONAL that a person wants to be equitable towards the ORPHANS!But WHO are these ORPHANS that we are responsible for yet it is likely that we will not treat them favorably?. Again, we do not have to look beyond the tip of our noses for the answer: "Do not give those who are immature the money which God has ENTRUSTED you with. You shall provide for them from it and cloth them, and say to them what is just. You shall test the orphans when they reach puberty. As soon as you find them mature enough, GIVE THEM THEIR PROPERTY..." (4/5-6)You must be the GUARDIAN to these Orphans and caretaker to their inheritance BEFORE even considering Polygamy. It is not just for a man to just pick children off the street and claim that he will marry their mother. The man must be the Guardian to the children appointed by their deceased father or because they (the Orphans) are from his blood. After laying out the rules in which Polygamy is allowed, we are also dealt with more restrictions in the Quran: "You can NEVER be equitable in dealing with more than one wife, no matter how hard you try. Therefore, do not be so biased as to leave one of them hanging. If you correct this situation and maintain righteousness, GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful." (4/129) So, as we have it DETAILED in God's Book: 1. Orphans placed in our guardianship are to be treated fairly. 2. If we fear biased-ness or unfairness in treatment, we MAY marry their mother. 3. We MUST pay their mother her dowry as in the case of a normal marriage. 4. We MUST NOT be biased in our dealings with either wife. Under these circumstances it becomes very clear how God's perfect system will be a shield for children who have lost their fathers and need protection in this world, rather than a license for sexual fantasies as most are led to believe. May the Lord grant us His mercy for all the wrong we have done.]

As Salaamu Alaikum all,

This article on freeminds on polygyny is an insult to Al Quran for its blatant errors and mistranslations.  It should either be redone or removed from the site.  Just my two cents.

Polygamy

One of the most wide spread myths that has been associated with God's religion over the centuries is the issue of "Polygamy". It is customary for people when they think of Islam, or even when they embrace Islam, that they automatically have a license to marry more than one wife (upto a maximum of 4).

Men tend to fantasize that this is due to the high sexual libido that God has given them and that it is part of their Homo-Sapien right of male domination.

Even women in the Islamic world have come to accept the idea of Polygamy as being ordained by God and therefore not open for debate or questioning. The woman in Islamic society may not like the idea of sharing her husband with other women, but it is a fact of life she has been taught to accept and respect.

Did the Lord of the Universe realize that Muslim men were hormone driven animals that needed the sexual satisfaction of more than one mate? Or is it us who as usual interpret God's revelations with our desires rather than our brains?.

Where in the Quran can we find this command that justifies Polygamy?

"You shall hand over to the ORPHANS* their rightful properties. Do not substitute the bad for the good, and do not consume their properties by combining them with yours. This would be a gross injustice. If you fear that you will not be equitable towards the ORPHANS*, then you may marry those who are agreeable to you of the women: two, and three, and four. If you fear lest you become unfair, then you shall be content with only one, or with what you already have. Additionally, you are thus more likely to avoid financial hardship." (4/2-3)

"They consult you concerning women: say, "GOD enlightens you regarding them, as recited for you in the scripture. The mothers of ORPHANS* that you wish to marry but do not give them their due dowries, you shall be just. The rights of young boys must also be protected. You shall treat the orphans equitably. Whatever good you do, GOD is fully aware thereof." (4/127)

* Orphans in Arabic (Yatama) is used for a child who has lost his father. A child who has lost his mother is not considered an Orphan in Arabic.

Any reader of the above verse does not have to be a genius to understand that Polygamy is CONDITIONAL that a person wants to be equitable towards the ORPHANS!

But WHO are these ORPHANS that we are responsible for yet it is likely that we will not treat them favorably?.

Again, we do not have to look beyond the tip of our noses for the answer:

"Do not give those who are immature the money which God has ENTRUSTED you with. You shall provide for them from it and cloth them, and say to them what is just. You shall test the orphans when they reach puberty. As soon as you find them mature enough, GIVE THEM THEIR PROPERTY..." (4/5-6)

You must be the GUARDIAN to these Orphans and caretaker to their inheritance BEFORE even considering Polygamy. It is not just for a man to just pick children off the street and claim that he will marry their mother. The man must be the Guardian to the children appointed by their deceased father or because they (the Orphans) are from his blood.

After laying out the rules in which Polygamy is allowed, we are also dealt with more restrictions in the Quran:

"You can NEVER be equitable in dealing with more than one wife, no matter how hard you try. Therefore, do not be so biased as to leave one of them hanging. If you correct this situation and maintain righteousness, GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful." (4/129)


So, as we have it DETAILED in God's Book:

1. Orphans placed in our guardianship are to be treated fairly.
2. If we fear biased-ness or unfairness in treatment, we MAY marry their mother.
3. We MUST pay their mother her dowry as in the case of a normal marriage.
4. We MUST NOT be biased in our dealings with either wife.


Under these circumstances it becomes very clear how God's perfect system will be a shield for children who have lost their fathers and need protection in this world, rather than a license for sexual fantasies as most are led to believe.


May the Lord grant us His mercy for all the wrong we have done.

As-Salaamu Alaikum muslims and forum all,

I have been away for a while, but hope to be able to get back to studying, learning and contributing here as before, insha Allah.  For the meantime, I wanted to throw out a question for those who sincerely and seriously study these two topics.  I had been studying them and have some material that I still need to study more in detail before pasting anything as some sort of "conclusion"; so I want to pose the following questions to anyone that has time to answer, insha Allah.  Don't feel or take it as a conclusion, but rather as a question for thought asking for points of view to which ever way you understand the issue.

1)  Is it possible that Hajj and Ramadan both occur at the same time?

2)  Is it possible that those who are meant to fast Ramadan are only those who "witness" or are "present" for the Hajj?

Please take your time to consider all of the Quranic and scientific evidence.  Of course I don't believe that Hajj is to Makkah either, but that's just me.

Thanks in advance for any of your thoughts and contributions, insha Allah.

As-Salaamu Alaikum, 

[بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيم]

As Salaamu Alaikum Forum,

I thought that this part of the book may help some to understand the point of view that it is being written from.  The book is not only written for the mind that has accepted Al Quran only as the only protected written guidance from Allah in establishing the Deen of Al Islam; but it is also written as a response to those who claim that because Al Quran doesn't explain how to perform As Salaat, to follow the "Quran Only" as guidance is not the correct way to interpret the instructions given by Allah in Al Quran.  As will be seen, those who say that Al Quran does not provide the details, will be proved wrong.

As Salaamu Alaikum 

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيم

            

PART THREE

?HOW TO PERFORM AS-SALAAT
ACCORDING TO THE QUR?AN ONLY?

INTRODUCTION

As has been mentioned numerous times already, it is considered by most Muslims around the world today that the only way to learn how to perform As-Salaat properly is to follow what is given in the reported books of ?sunnah and ahadeeth?.  Upon introducing to Muslims who follow particular sects the concept of following Al-Qur?an only, the first attempt to disprove that this is in error will be their request for you to show them how to perform As-Salaat without using ?ahadeeth?.  By this, the majority of those who consider and call themselves Muslims believe that they can easily prove the claim that following Al-Qur?an only as the only true source of guidance for establishing the Deen of Al-Islam, is completely in error and of no sound basis; according to their understanding.

The first thing to understand is that the average person who calls themselves Muslim and performs As-Salaat in the ?traditional? way knows very few ?ahadeeth? which teaches them how to perform As-Salaat.  Most of them have learned how to perform As-Salaat by following others at the Masjid, having someone in particular teach them, or by reading books that have been written by ?scholars? who have ?derived? the information on how to perform As-Salaat from the various ?ahadeeth? found in the different books of the reported ?sunnah and ahadeeth?; primarily those known as ?Sahih Bukhari? and ?Sahih Muslim?.   Most of these people have no idea that in none of the books of ?ahadeeth? is the complete performance of As-Salaat described in one place with a beginning and an end to the process.  Neither do they have much of an idea that different "sayings" can be said according to the reported books of ?sunnah and ahadeeth?, of which they are not aware of.

In contrast to their method of deriving how to perform As-Salaat from the reported ?sunnah and ahadeeth?, Al-Qur?an against all of their claims of it not doing so, does provide amazing detail of exactly how we are to perform As-Salaat.  Allah tells us in many ayah that His Qur?an is complete, fully detailed and provides the best explanation for the things we need as guidance.  With the tremendous importance that As-Salaat has for the person of trusting faith in Allah alone, there can be no doubt that Allah has provided all that we need to understand and perform this ritual of worship in the way that is pleasing to Him! You may be amazed at how detailed Al-Qur?an is on As-Salaat if you have not studied it before.

PREFACE

Allah tells us that we should follow the best of what is in Al-Quran.  So although there may be other ayaat and words in the Qur?an that could be used in As-Salaat, we have tried to choose the best of what could be understood at this time.  It is not intended to limit you as to what can be said in As-Salaat.  As long as a person with trusting faith in Allah alone performs As-Salaat with the guidance given by Allah in Al-Qur?an, all words and ayah of Al-Qur?an used exactly as Allah has given them without any change, may be used in As-Salaat.

You will not find any phrases or words used in this explanation of how to perform As-Salaat, that are not the direct words of Allah found in Al-Qur?an.  Many issues and subjects typically found in As-Salaat of ?Sunnis?, ?Shites?, etc. are not addressed or dealt with here because the words used in their performance can not be found in Al-Qur?an.  Although some of those words and phrases may appear to deal with following the command of certain ayah of Al-Qur?an such as the subject of the ?tashahud?, instead of taking more space to prove these issues erroneous, we have simply left it to the person of faith to trust that everything to be said in As-Salaat will be found in Al-Qur?an only.  So while these particular popular sayings seem to have been derived from Al-Qur?an, one will find that the words which are actually said are not the EXACT words of Al-Qur?an.  Therefore those sayings should be rejected as no Jinn or Human can improve upon the words given to us by Allah in Al-Qur?an.  Again, this is a very hard concept to have trusting faith in for the person who hasn?t accepted that Allah wants us to follow Al-Qur?an only as the true source of guidance for Al-Islam.  It is clear that the words to these innovations are found only in the reported ?sunnah and ahadeeth? and therefore should be rejected when performing As Salaat, even if they appear to carry out a command from Al-Qur?an.

Maybe in upcoming articles or books we may take the time to address those erroneous issues of As-Salaat.  It is not considered necessarty to do so now, although there is no problem in proving each of them innovations to the Deen of Al-Islam as given in Al-Qur?an.  Until then, the best advice we can give you is to COMPLETELY read ?AL-QUR?AN AL-?ATHEEM: THE ONLY TRUE SOURCE FOR ESTABLISHING THE DEEN OF AL-ISLAAM?!

[14) SUJOOD: THE PROSTRATING FUNCTION AND WHAT TO SAY DURING AS-SALAAT:]

As Salaamu Alaikum Forum,

Surely many thanks go to those of you who have already realized these truths and written about them in articles and posts.  My compilation is just a continuing reflection of the work of many good people who have come to the blessed realization that we are to follow the guidance of Al Quran only in defining how we are to practice the Deen of Al Islam.

Any comments, questions and suggestions are welcome as always.

As Salaamu Alaikum 

14)  SUJOOD: THE PROSTRATING FUNCTION AND WHAT TO SAY DURING AS-SALAAT:

b) impf. act. (yasjudu)

لَيْسُواْ سَوَاء مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ أُمَّةٌ قَآئِمَةٌ يَتْلُونَ آيَاتِ اللّهِ آنَاء اللَّيْلِ وَهُمْ يَسْجُدُونَ {113}

Transliteration Laysoo sawaan min ahli alkitabi ommatun qa-imatun yatloona ayati Allahi anaa allayli wahum yasjudoona
Literal They are not equal/alike, from The Book's people, (are) a nation standing/keeping up, they read/recite God's signs/verses/evidences (during) the night's hours, and they prostrate.
[Yusufali 3:113] Not all of them are alike: Of the People of the Book are a portion that stand (For the right): They rehearse the Signs of Allah all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration.

Here Allah lets us know that those among the People of the Book who received the previous scriptures, there are some who recite the ayaat of Allah during the night and prostrate themselves.  They are counted among the righteous to receive the best rewards from Allah in the Hereafter.  Thus reciting the Book of Allah and prostrating are confirmed practices even among the former peoples.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لاَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ وَيُسَبِّحُونَهُ وَلَهُ يَسْجُدُونَ {206}

Transliteration Inna allatheena AAinda rabbika la yastakbiroona AAan AAibadatihi wayusabbihoonahu walahu yasjudoona
Literal That those at your Lord are not being arrogant about worshipping Him, and they praise/glorify Him, and to Him they prostrate.
[Yusufali 7:206] Those who are near to thy Lord, disdain not to do Him worship: They celebrate His praises, and prostrate before Him.

Even those nearest to Allah prostrate in adoration to Him.  How can we not?

فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُن مِّنَ السَّاجِدِينَ {98}
                                                                         
Transliteration Fasabbih bihamdi rabbika wakun mina alssajideena
Literal So praise/glorify with your Lord's praise/gratitude/thanks, and be from the prostrating.
[Yusufali 15:98] But celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and be of those who prostrate themselves in adoration.

Allah leaves no doubt that we are to be among those who glorify Him with praise while prostrating ourselves to Him.

أُوْلَئِكَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ مِن ذُرِّيَّةِ آدَمَ وَمِمَّنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْرَائِيلَ وَمِمَّنْ هَدَيْنَا وَاجْتَبَيْنَا إِذَا تُتْلَى عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُ الرَّحْمَن خَرُّوا سُجَّدًا وَبُكِيًّا {58}

Transliteration Ola-ika allatheena anAAama Allahu AAalayhim mina alnnabiyyeena min thurriyyati adama wamimman hamalna maAAa noohin wamin thurriyyati ibraheema wa-isra-eela wamimman hadayna waijtabayna itha tutla AAalayhim ayatu alrrahmani kharroo sujjadan wabukiyyan
Literal Those are those who God blessed/praised on them from the prophets from Adam's descendants; and from who We carried with Noah, and from Abraham's and Ishmael's descendants, and from who We guided and We chose/purified, if the merciful's verses/evidences are read/recited on them they fell down prostrating and weeping.
[Yusufali 19:58] Those were some of the prophets on whom Allah did bestow His Grace,- of the posterity of Adam, and of those who We carried (in the Ark) with Noah, and of the posterity of Abraham and Israel of those whom We guided and chose. Whenever the Signs of (Allah) Most Gracious were rehearsed to them, they would fall down in prostrate adoration and in tears.

Allah makes it clear to us that all of the Prophets were among those who prostrated themselves to Allah and they were guided.  They would fall down prostrate upon hearing the recitation of the ayaat of Allah Most Gracious, and tears would flow from their eyes!

إِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِآيَاتِنَا الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا بِهَا خَرُّوا سُجَّدًا وَسَبَّحُوا بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ {15}

Transliteration Innama yu/minu bi-ayatina allatheena itha thukkiroo biha kharroo sujjadan wasabbahoo bihamdi rabbihim wahum la yastakbiroona
Literal Truly/indeed (who) believes with Our verses/evidences (are) those who if they were reminded with it they fell down prostrating and they praised/glorified with their Lord's praise/gratitude, and they do not be arrogant.
[Yusufali 32:15] Only those believe in Our Signs, who, when they are recited to them, fall down in prostration, and celebrate the praises of their Lord, nor are they (ever) puffed up with pride.

Allah stresses the importance of prostration by making it a condition of those who have true trusting faith in Him alone; that when they hear the ayaat of Allah recited, they fall down prostrate glorifying Allah with praise; and they  are never too prideful or arrogant to do so!

وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ اللَّيْلُ وَالنَّهَارُ وَالشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَرُ لَا تَسْجُدُوا لِلشَّمْسِ وَلَا لِلْقَمَرِ وَاسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُنَّ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ {37}

Transliteration Wamin ayatihi allaylu waalnnaharu waalshshamsu waalqamaru la tasjudoo lilshshamsi wala lilqamari waosjudoo lillahi alathee khalaqahunna in kuntum iyyahu taAAbudoona
Literal And from His verses/evidences/signs (are) the night and the daytime and the sun and the moon, do not prostrate to the sun and nor to the moon, and prostrate to God who created them (B), if you were/are (only) Him worshipping.
[Yusufali 41:37] Among His Signs are the Night and the Day, and the Sun and the Moon. Do not prostrate to the sun and the moon, but prostrate to Allah, Who created them, if it is Him ye wish to serve.

Allah makes it clear for us that prostration is due only to Him.  The signs of the Night and Day and the Sun and the Moon are given as some of the larger signs in the creation of Allah for humanity.  Yet Allah warns us to never prostrate even to them, but rather to prostrate only to Him who is the one who created them; if it is Him only that you worship!

وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْهُ وَأَدْبَارَ السُّجُودِ {40}

Transliteration Wamina allayli fasabbihhu waadbara alssujoodi
Literal And from the night so praise/glorify Him, and (during) the prostration's ends/backs.
[Yusufali 50:40] And during part of the night, (also,) celebrate His praises, and (so likewise) after the postures of adoration.

فَاسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ وَاعْبُدُوا {62}

Transliteration Faosjudoo lillahi waoAAbudoo
Literal So prostrate to God and worship.
[Yusufali 53:62] But fall ye down in prostration to Allah, and adore (Him)!

وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَاسْجُدْ لَهُ وَسَبِّحْهُ لَيْلًا طَوِيلًا {26}

Transliteration Wamina allayli faosjud lahu wasabbihhu laylan taweelan
Literal And from the night, so prostrate to Him, and praise/glorify Him at night/nightly long.
[Yusufali 76:26] And part of the night, prostrate thyself to Him; and glorify Him a long night through.

كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَاسْجُدْ وَاقْتَرِبْ {19}

Transliteration Kalla la tutiAAhu waosjud waiqtarib
Literal No but do not obey him, and prostrate and near/approach (to Me).
[Yusufali 96:19] Nay, heed him not: But bow down in adoration, and bring thyself the closer (to Allah)!

All of these ayaat make it clear to the person of trusting faith in Allah alone that prostration has a very high position in the ritual of As-Salaat and brings the sincere worshipper closer to their Lord.  Prostrating and gloriying Allah with praise is one of the highest forms of worship for humanity in this life!

قُلْ آمِنُواْ بِهِ أَوْ لاَ تُؤْمِنُواْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْعِلْمَ مِن قَبْلِهِ إِذَا يُتْلَى عَلَيْهِمْ يَخِرُّونَ لِلأَذْقَانِ سُجَّدًا {107}

Transliteration Qul aminoo bihi aw la tu/minoo inna allatheena ootoo alAAilma min qablihi itha yutla AAalayhim yakhirroona lil-athqani sujjadan
Literal Say: "Believe with it or do not believe, that (E) those who were given/brought to the knowledge, from before it, if (it) is being read/recited on them, they fall down to the chins/beards prostrating."
[Yusufali 17:107] Say: "Whether ye believe in it or not, it is true that those who were given knowledge beforehand, when it is recited to them, fall down on their faces in humble prostration,

This series of ayat from 17:107-111 give the example of what those who have been blessed with knowledge beforehand say when they hear the ayaat of Allah recited to them; they fall down prostrate when it is recited to them and say:

وَيَقُولُونَ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّنَا إِن كَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّنَا لَمَفْعُولاً {108}

Transliteration Wayaqooloona subhana rabbina in kana waAAdu rabbina lamafAAoolan
Literal And they say: "Praise/glory (to) our Lord that truly our Lord's promise was made/done (E)."
[Yusufali 17:108] "And they say: 'Glory to our Lord! Truly has the promise of our Lord been fulfilled!'"

These words from Allah tell us Exactly what these people who have received knowledge before hand say during their prostration.  It is an excellent example for us to follow and repeat during prostration in our Salaat!

وَيَخِرُّونَ لِلأَذْقَانِ يَبْكُونَ وَيَزِيدُهُمْ خُشُوعًا {109}

Transliteration Wayakhirroona lil-athqani yabkoona wayazeeduhum khushooAAan
Literal And they fall down to the chins/beards weeping and He/it (the weeping) increases them humbleness/submission.
[Yusufali 17:109] They fall down on their faces in tears, and it increases their (earnest) humility.

Falling down to prostration and weeping sincerely has shown their humbleness and submission to Allah!

قُلِ ادْعُواْ اللّهَ أَوِ ادْعُواْ الرَّحْمَـنَ أَيًّا مَّا تَدْعُواْ فَلَهُ الأَسْمَاء الْحُسْنَى وَلاَ تَجْهَرْ بِصَلاَتِكَ وَلاَ تُخَافِتْ بِهَا وَابْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ سَبِيلاً {110}

Transliteration Quli odAAoo Allaha awi odAAoo alrrahmana ayyan ma tadAAoo falahu al-asmao alhusna wala tajhar bisalatika wala tukhafit biha waibtaghi bayna thalika sabeelan
Literal Say: "Call God, or call the merciful, whichever you call, so for Him (are) the names the best/most beautiful (the good names), and do not publicize/declare/raise (voice) with your prayers, and do not silence/lower and hide with it, and wish/desire between that a way/method."
[Yusufali 17:110] Say: "Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman: by whatever name ye call upon Him, (it is well): for to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. Neither speak thy Prayer aloud, nor speak it in a low tone, but seek a middle course between."

Allah reminds us that we may call upon Him by Allah, or the Most Beautiful of Names, and not to speak our Salaat to loud or to low, but to seek a middle tone in our recitation. (This is not part of what is said in ?prostration?, but is a command for the Prophet to deliver to us additional information about the salaat, which is the connecting verse that lets us know that this ?prostration? is a function of As Salaat).

وَقُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَتَّخِذْ وَلَدًا وَلَم يَكُن لَّهُ شَرِيكٌ فِي الْمُلْكِ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ وَلِيٌّ مِّنَ الذُّلَّ وَكَبِّرْهُ تَكْبِيرًا {111}

Transliteration Waquli alhamdu lillahi allathee lam yattakhith waladan walam yakun lahu shareekun fee almulki walam yakun lahu waliyyun mina alththulli wakabbirhu takbeeran
Literal And say: "The praise/gratitude (is) to God who did not take (a) child (son), and (there) had not been/is not a partner for Him in the ownership/ kingdom, and (there) had not been/is not for Him (a) guardian/protector from the humbleness/weakness, and greaten/magnify Him, greatness/ enlargement."
[Yusufali 17:111] Say: "Praise be to Allah, who begets no son, and has no partner in (His) dominion: Nor (needs) He any to protect Him from humiliation: yea, magnify Him for His greatness and glory!"

This ayah continues the recitation used by those who received knowledge before and are now prostrating to Allah.  After reciting the words of ayah 108, they continue with the words of this ayah.  This is a beautiful example again of what we should say while prostrating during As-Salaat!

When one compares the words that Allah gives in Al-Qur?an for the believer to say during any of the positions while performing As-Salaat, upon any amount of reflection, one can clearly see the superiority, beauty and meaning behind the words that Allah has chosen for us over anything that are recorded in other books!

[4) THE REASONS WHY ALLAH DOESN?T ACCEPT AS-SALAAT FROM SOME PEOPLE!]

As Salaamu Alaikum Forum,

Your comments are welcomed.

As-Salaamu Alaikum 

4) THE REASONS WHY ALLAH DOESN?T ACCEPT AS-SALAAT FROM SOME PEOPLE!

إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَن يُوقِعَ بَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاء فِي الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللّهِ وَعَنِ الصَّلاَةِ فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّنتَهُونَ {91}

Transliteration Innama yureedu alshshaytanu an yooqiAAa baynakumu alAAadawata waalbaghdaa fee alkhamri waalmaysiri wayasuddakum AAan thikri Allahi waAAani alssalati fahal antum muntahoona
Literal But the devil wants that he makes the animosity and the intense hatred fall between you, in (through use of) the intoxicants and the gambling, and he prevents/obstructs you from God's remembrance/reminder, and from the prayers, so are you ending/stopping?
[Yusufali 5:91] Satan's plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer: will ye not then abstain?

Satan causes animosity and hatred among mankind by using the tools of intoxicants and gambling in order that he might hinder you from As-Salaat and the remembrance of Allah.  Allah tells us about this deceit in reference to approaching As-Salaat:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تَقْرَبُواْ الصَّلاَةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَارَى حَتَّىَ تَعْلَمُواْ مَا تَقُولُونَ وَلاَ جُنُبًا إِلاَّ عَابِرِي سَبِيلٍ حَتَّىَ تَغْتَسِلُواْ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَى أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاء أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّن الْغَآئِطِ أَوْ لاَمَسْتُمُ النِّسَاء فَلَمْ تَجِدُواْ مَاء فَتَيَمَّمُواْ صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُواْ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا {43}

Transliteration Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la taqraboo alssalata waantum sukara hatta taAAlamoo ma taqooloona wala junuban illa AAabiree sabeelin hatta taghtasiloo wa-in kuntum marda aw AAala safarin aw jaa ahadun minkum mina algha-iti aw lamastumu alnnisaa falam tajidoo maan fatayammamoo saAAeedan tayyiban faimsahoo biwujoohikum waaydeekum inna Allaha kana AAafuwwan ghafooran
Literal You, you those who believed, do not approach the prayers and you are intoxicated, until you know what you are saying, and nor distant from God/impure, except crossing a road/way, until you wash yourselves with water, and if you were sick/diseased or on a long distance travel, or any of you came from the safe and hidden depression in ground used for human discharge (toilet) or you touched repeatedly/touched and felt repeatedly (could mean: had intercourse with) the women, so you did not find water, so wipe your hands and face with dust, pure/good dust, so wipe with your faces and your hands, that God was/is often forgiving/pardoning, forgiving.
[Yusufali 4:43] O ye who believe! Approach not prayers with a mind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say,- nor in a state of ceremonial impurity (Except when travelling on the road), until after washing your whole body. If ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands. For Allah doth blot out sins and forgive again and again.

Therefore, if one comes to As-Salaat with a mind that is intoxicanted in some way or in a way that they don?t understand what they are saying; it is clear that this Salaat is not pleasing to Allah and not accepted.  Also, if one comes to As-Salaat without properly cleaning themselves in a manner approved of by Allah and taught in Al-Qur?an, this too would be an unacceptable Salaat to Allah.

إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ يُخَادِعُونَ اللّهَ وَهُوَ خَادِعُهُمْ وَإِذَا قَامُواْ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ قَامُواْ كُسَالَى يُرَآؤُونَ النَّاسَ وَلاَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللّهَ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً {142}

Transliteration Inna almunafiqeena yukhadiAAoona Allaha wahuwa khadiAAuhum wa-itha qamoo ila alssalati qamoo kusala yuraoona alnnasa wala yathkuroona Allaha illa qaleelan
Literal That the hypocrites deceive God, and He is deceiving them, and if they got up to the prayers, they got up lazy, they pretend/show off (to) the people, and they do not mention/remember God except a little.
[Yusufali 4:142] The Hypocrites - they think they are over-reaching Allah, but He will over-reach them: When they stand up to prayer, they stand without earnestness, to be seen of men, but little do they hold Allah in remembrance;

Allah says that He does not accept the prayer of a ?Munaafiq?, or hypocrite.  One of the signs of their hypocrisy is that when they stand up for As-Salaat, they do it lazily and without earnestness to show off or be seen by the people.  But they miss the purpose of As-Salaat because they remember Allah very little while performing As-Salaat.  One of the key verses of Al Quran gives another important aspect of some of the hyprocrites (munafiqs):

سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ {1}

Transliteration Itha jaaka almunafiqoona qaloo nashhadu innaka larasoolu Allahi waAllahu yaAAlamu innaka larasooluhu waAllahu yashhadu inna almunafiqeena lakathiboona
Literal If/when the hypocrites came to you, they said: "We testify/witness, that you are God's messenger (E)." And God knows that you are His messenger (E), and God witnesses/testifies that truly the hypocrites (are) liars/deniers/ falsifiers (E).
[Yusufali 63:1] When the Hypocrites come to thee, they say, "We bear witness that thou art indeed the Messenger of Allah." Yea, Allah knoweth that thou art indeed His Messenger, and Allah beareth witness that the Hypocrites are indeed liars.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ {2}

Transliteration Ittakhathoo aymanahum junnatan fasaddoo AAan sabeeli Allahi innahum saa ma kanoo yaAAmaloona
Literal They took their rights/oaths (as) a cover (shield) so they prevented/obstructed from God's way/path, that they truly are bad/evil/harmful what they were making/doing.
[Yusufali 63:2] They have made their oaths a screen (for their misdeeds): thus they obstruct (men) from the Path of Allah: truly evil are their deeds.

Although we as followers of Al Quran know that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (33:40), Allah states that it is the hypocrites (munafiqs) that use this in their oaths.  Therefore in reference to those who make this a part of their speech during As-Salaat, they are either exemplifying or emulating the words of the hypocrites (munafiqs).  Certainly the prayer of a ?munafiq? is not accepted by Allah.

وَمَا لَهُمْ أَلاَّ يُعَذِّبَهُمُ اللّهُ وَهُمْ يَصُدُّونَ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَمَا كَانُواْ أَوْلِيَاءهُ إِنْ أَوْلِيَآؤُهُ إِلاَّ الْمُتَّقُونَ وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ {34}

Transliteration Wama lahum alla yuAAaththibahumu Allahu wahum yasuddoona AAani almasjidi alharami wama kanoo awliyaahu in awliyaohu illa almuttaqoona walakinna aktharahum la yaAAlamoona
Literal And why (is it) for them that God not torture them and they are objecting/preventing/obstructing from the Mosque the Forbidden/Sacred, and they were not its patrons/supporters, that its patrons/supporters, (are not) except the fearing and obeying, and but most of them do not know.
[Yusufali 8:34] But what plea have they that Allah should not punish them, when they keep out (men) from the sacred Mosque - and they are not its guardians? No men can be its guardians except the righteous; but most of them do not understand.

وَمَا كَانَ صَلاَتُهُمْ عِندَ الْبَيْتِ إِلاَّ مُكَاء وَتَصْدِيَةً فَذُوقُواْ الْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ {35}

Transliteration Wama kana salatuhum AAinda albayti illa mukaan watasdiyatan fathooqoo alAAathaba bima kuntum takfuroona
Literal And their prayers at the House/Home was not except whistling by mouth and echoing/prolonging/clapping, so taste/experience the torture with what you were disbelieving.
[Yusufali 8:35] Their prayer at the House (of Allah) is nothing but whistling and clapping of hands: (Its only answer can be), "Taste ye the penalty because ye blasphemed."

Even those who perform As-Salaat at Al-Masjid Al-Haraam at Al-Bayt, if they reject faith, their Salaats are not accepted by Allah.  They are only whistling and clappings that have no meaning and incur the wrath of Allah.

قُلْ أَنفِقُواْ طَوْعًا أَوْ كَرْهًا لَّن يُتَقَبَّلَ مِنكُمْ إِنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ قَوْمًا فَاسِقِينَ {53}

Transliteration Qul anfiqoo tawAAan aw karhan lan yutaqabbala minkum innakum kuntum qawman fasiqeena
Literal Say: "Spend voluntarily or forcefully/involuntarily, (it) will never/not be accepted from you, that you are/were a nation (of) debauchers."
[Yusufali 9:53] Say: "Spend (for the cause) willingly or unwillingly: not from you will it be accepted: for ye are indeed a people rebellious and wicked."

وَمَا مَنَعَهُمْ أَن تُقْبَلَ مِنْهُمْ نَفَقَاتُهُمْ إِلاَّ أَنَّهُمْ كَفَرُواْ بِاللّهِ وَبِرَسُولِهِ وَلاَ يَأْتُونَ الصَّلاَةَ إِلاَّ وَهُمْ كُسَالَى وَلاَ يُنفِقُونَ إِلاَّ وَهُمْ كَارِهُونَ {54}

Transliteration Wama manaAAahum an tuqbala minhum nafaqatuhum illa annahum kafaroo biAllahi wabirasoolihi wala ya/toona alssalata illa wahum kusala wala yunfiqoona illa wahum karihoona
Literal And nothing prevented/prohibited them that their expenses/expenditures that (E) be accepted/received from them, except that they disbelieved by God, and with His messenger and they do not come (to) the prayers except and (while) they are lazy, and they do not spend except and (while) they are hating.
[Yusufali 9:54] The only reasons why their contributions are not accepted are: that they reject Allah and His Messenger; that they come to prayer without earnestness; and that they offer contributions unwillingly.

When a person or group of people offer charity willing or unwillingly but are rejecting of faith, rebellious and wicked; they have the attribute of coming to As-Salaat lazily and without sincerity; thereby making both their Salat and Zakaat unacceptable to Allah.

لَهُ دَعْوَةُ الْحَقِّ وَالَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ لاَ يَسْتَجِيبُونَ لَهُم بِشَيْءٍ إِلاَّ كَبَاسِطِ كَفَّيْهِ إِلَى الْمَاء لِيَبْلُغَ فَاهُ وَمَا هُوَ بِبَالِغِهِ وَمَا دُعَاء الْكَافِرِينَ إِلاَّ فِي ضَلاَلٍ {14}

Transliteration Lahu daAAwatu alhaqqi waallatheena yadAAoona min doonihi la yastajeeboona lahum bishay-in illa kabasiti kaffayhi ila alma-i liyablugha fahu wama huwa bibalighihi wama duAAao alkafireena illa fee dalalin
Literal For Him (is) the truth's call/request/prayer, and those who call from (to) other than Him, they do not answer/reply to them from a thing, except as (who) spreads/extends his two palms to the water to reach his mouth, and he is not with reaching it, and the disbeliever's call/prayer is not except in misguidance.
[Yusufali 13:14] For Him (alone) is prayer in Truth: any others that they call upon besides Him hear them no more than if they were to stretch forth their hands for water to reach their mouths but it reaches them not: for the prayer of those without Faith is nothing but (futile) wandering (in the mind).

The ?dua? which people make while calling on other than Allah; whether for intercession or otherwise, is nothing but wandering in their mind.  Allah does not accept this ?dua? whether it is done separately or as a part of As-Salaat.

أُوْلَئِكَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ مِن ذُرِّيَّةِ آدَمَ وَمِمَّنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْرَائِيلَ وَمِمَّنْ هَدَيْنَا وَاجْتَبَيْنَا إِذَا تُتْلَى عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُ الرَّحْمَن خَرُّوا سُجَّدًا وَبُكِيًّا {58}

Transliteration Ola-ika allatheena anAAama Allahu AAalayhim mina alnnabiyyeena min thurriyyati adama wamimman hamalna maAAa noohin wamin thurriyyati ibraheema wa-isra-eela wamimman hadayna waijtabayna itha tutla AAalayhim ayatu alrrahmani kharroo sujjadan wabukiyyan
Literal Those are those who God blessed/praised on them from the prophets from Adam's descendants; and from who We carried with Noah, and from Abraham's and Ishmael's descendants, and from who We guided and We chose/purified, if the merciful's verses/evidences are read/recited on them they fell down prostrating and weeping .
[Yusufali 19:58] Those were some of the prophets on whom Allah did bestow His Grace,- of the posterity of Adam, and of those who We carried (in the Ark) with Noah, and of the posterity of Abraham and Israel of those whom We guided and chose. Whenever the Signs of (Allah) Most Gracious were rehearsed to them, they would fall down in prostrate adoration and in tears.

فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَاتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَوَاتِ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا {59}

Transliteration Fakhalafa min baAAdihim khalfun adaAAoo alssalata waittabaAAoo alshshahawati fasawfa yalqawna ghayyan
Literal So succeeded/followed from after them a succession, they lost/wasted/ destroyed the prayers, and they followed the lusts/desires/cravings, so they will/shall meet/find misguidance/failure.
[Yusufali 19:59] But after them there followed a posterity who missed prayers and followed after lusts soon, then, will they face Destruction,-

Obviously missing or wasting one?s Salaat makes it unacceptable to Allah!  People do so because they follow their own lusts and desires.

قَالُوا أَوَلَمْ تَكُ تَأْتِيكُمْ رُسُلُكُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ قَالُوا بَلَى قَالُوا فَادْعُوا وَمَا دُعَاء الْكَافِرِينَ إِلَّا فِي ضَلَالٍ {50}

Transliteration Qaloo awa lam taku ta/teekum rusulukum bialbayyinati qaloo bala qaloo faodAAoo wama duAAao alkafireena illa fee dalalin
Literal They said: "Were your messengers not being coming to you with the evidences?" They said: "Yes/certainly." They said: "So call, and the disbelievers' call/prayer (is) not except in misguidance."
[Yusufali 40:50] They will say: "Did there not come to you your messengers with Clear Signs?" They will say, "Yes". They will reply, "Then pray (as ye like)! But the prayer of those without Faith is nothing but (futile wandering) in (mazes of) error!"

When people reject the clear message of the Messengers sent by Allah, their calling on Allah (dua) is devoid of true faith and therefore misguided and in error; i.e. not accepted by Allah whether it be separately or a part of As-Salaat.

أَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يُكَذِّبُ بِالدِّينِ {1}

Transliteration Araayta allathee yukaththibu bialddeeni
Literal Did you see/understand who lies/denies/falsifies with the religion?
[Yusufali 107:1] Seest thou one who denies the Judgment (to come)?

فَذَلِكَ الَّذِي يَدُعُّ الْيَتِيمَ {2}

Transliteration Fathalika allathee yaduAAAAu alyateema
Literal So that (is) who turns down/repels the orphan.
[Yusufali 107:2] Then such is the (man) who repulses the orphan (with harshness),

وَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلَى طَعَامِ الْمِسْكِينِ {3}

Transliteration Wala yahuddu AAala taAAami almiskeeni
Literal And does not urge/insight/influence on feeding the poorest of poor/poor oppressed.
[Yusufali 107:3] And encourages not the feeding of the indigent.

فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ {4}

Transliteration Fawaylun lilmusalleena
Literal So calamity/scandal/woe to the prayers (praying people).
[Yusufali 107:4] So woe to the worshippers

الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ {5}

Transliteration Allatheena hum AAan salatihim sahoona
Literal Those whom they are about their prayers negligent/inattentive.
[Yusufali 107:5] Who are neglectful of their prayers,

الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَاؤُونَ {6}

Transliteration Allatheena hum yuraoona
Literal Those whom they are pretending/showing off (what they are not).
[Yusufali 107:6] Those who (want but) to be seen (of men),

وَيَمْنَعُونَ الْمَاعُونَ {7}

Transliteration WayamnaAAoona almaAAoona
Literal And they prevent/stop the charity.
[Yusufali 107:7] But refuse (to supply) (even) neighbourly needs.

This Sura sums up the main reason why As-Salaat is not accepted from some people.  No where in the Qur?an will you find Allah giving instructions that As-Salaat is not accepted by His sincere servants who don?t perform the physical aspects of As-Salaat properly.  How you stand, bow, prostrate, hold your hands, place your feet, fingers, etc.; none of these things are pointed out by Allah in Al-Qur?an as being reasons for a person?s or group?s Salaat not being acceptable.  The primary reasons why As-Salaat is not accepted by most is of their lack of sincerity and remembering of Allah; the main purpose for As-Salaat!

Allah tells us in this Sura to be aware of the ones who in reality deny the Judgment to come in the hereafter.  You will know some of them because they repel the orphan and encourage not the feeding of the poor.  But also you will see some of them performing As-Salaat negligently and unattentively because they are only concerned about being seen by other people.  They even refuse to engage in charity or support of it.  These are some of the signs of those whom Allah says that He does not accept their Salaat. 

So one must remember that while learning how to perform As-Salaat, do not be so caught up in the physical function of the ritual, that you forget the meaning behind the performance thereof.  The physical performance is described in Al Quran by Allah, but it is not the primary focus of the reason for performing As Salaat.  It is not an exercise designed just to keep us physically fit.

On the other hand, As Salaat is a physical ritual that has mental, emotional and spiritual implications for our life.  A ritual is designed to preserve the knowledge and wisdom behind the action.  The knowledge and wisdom behind the ritual of As-Salaat is that the human being learns to remember Allah and His Guidance and thereby becomes more conscious of Allah in every aspect of their life.  A wise man was once quoted as saying that Wisdom is not obtained until knowledge has come through the door of Mercy.  Performing As Salaat should lead a person to have more obedient to Allah and thereby to be more pleasing to Allah; ultimately thereby receiving Allah?s Mercy, Forgivenss, Blessings and  His Paraise, insha Allah!

[An understanding of salat from Al Quran (The Reading)]

As Salaamu Alaikum Forum,

These comments and rebuttals are done with the intent to promote the guidance of Al-Quran only.  I am in now way trying to put down the person of Wakas, but I am instead "putting down" the conclusions that he made about "As-Salaat" from his article and posts here on Freeminds and elsewhere.  I respect him for his works and great contributions over the years that he has provided, even though I disagree with some.  Many of his other articles and post I completely agree with.

I just wanted to make that clear, All praise is due to Allah.

Now to the comments and rebuttal:


An understanding of salat from Al Quran (The Reading)
With the name/assistanceof  The God/Divine, The Almighty/Originator, The Merciful/Embracing (I begin)
Bismi Allahi ar-rahmani ar-raheemi

The root of "salat" are the Arabic letters:

ص ل و (right to left in Arabic)

Saad-Lam-Waw (slw). E.W. Lane's Arabic-English lexicon/dictionary gives the following possible meanings of the root:

prayer, supplication, petition, oration, eulogy, benediction, commendation, blessing, honour, magnify, bring forth, follow closely, walk/follow behind closely, to remain attached, to contact or to be in contact.

In a horse race when the second horse follows the first one so closely that its head always overlaps the first horse?s body that horse is called AL-MUSSALLI (i.e. the one who follows closely or remains attached).*

Central portion of the back, portion from where the tail of an animal comes out, the rump.
*the word 'musalleena' (plural) is used in al quran (the reading), please see 70:22, 74:43, 107:4.But surely the best explanation should be taken from the Words of God, so what does Al Quran (The Reading) say about slw?

So far so good, very good points and information.

In this article I will try to be brief but accurate:

From 75:31-32 it can be seen that the basic meaning of salla* is to 'go/turn towards', because it is contrasted/compared (i.e. put opposite to) 'went/turn away'.
Furthermore, every single occurrence of the root slw is used in a positive manner, thus if this information is taken along with the root meanings, we can expand the basic meaning a little further to: to go/turn towards in a close/positive manner.

*in this verse salat (noun) is in its verb (2nd form) as salla.

Chapter 75

31. For he did not confirm (saddaqa*) nor go/turned towards (salla).
32. But he denied (kaththaba) and went/turned away (tawalla). **

This jump in definition for ?salla? to ?go/turn towards? is far reaching at best.  What is your evidence?  Surely you can?t claim that only this one comparison in chapter 75 ayat 31 is sufficient to come up with a new meaning that no other dictionaries, lexicons or translations contain!

*be careful not to confuse saddaqa (confirm) with saddaqat (charity).
**it is also interesting to note that al quran's rhythmic style is also utilised in the comparison.

One could substitute this term with similar words such as link/bond/connect, remain attached, continue contact, follow closely or commitment, i.e. a word which implies to go/turn towards.

slw = go/turn towards. This is the core meaning of a general concept.

ص ل و   = Sad-Lam-Waw = prayer, supplication, petition, oration, eulogy, benediction, commendation, blessing, honour, magnifiy, bring forth, follow closely, walk/follow behind closely, to remain attached.
In a horse race when the second horse follows the first one so closely that its head always overlaps the first horse?s body that horse is called AL-MUSSALLI (i.e. the one who follows closely / remains attached).
Central portion of the back, portion from where the tail of an animal comes out, the rump. (taken from project root word)

Again, you gave the dictionary meaning above for ?SLW?.  Can you provide any translation, other than your own, dictionary or lexicon reference to show that ?go/turn towards? is a legitimate translation for this root?  I simply do not agree with your assumptive translation here.

Allow me an analogy to demonstrate its general meaning, if I say to you: "go/turn towards justice". You could acheive this in many ways. For example you could start with yourself, make sure you act just, you could become a lawyer, you could help raise funds to set up law courts, you could educate others on justice, give a truthful testimony in a court case, you could become a policeman etc. Note that there are many activities you can do to "go/turn towards justice". In otherwords, to "go/turn towards" something is a general term and can be applied very widely.

(I simply chose "justice" as an example of a concept/object you could go/turn towards, I could have said democracy, wealth, health etc.)

One may ask, well, what are we supposed to "go/turn towards"? It depends on context, however, the core meaning of "go/turn towards" is always implied.

Please apply this basic/core connotation/meaning/implication to any verse with the root of salat (i.e. slw = sawd-lam-waw) to see if it fits. These verses can be found in the following link:

www.irreduciblefifth.force9.co.uk/burhan/b.x.211.htm

(Be careful not to confuse Sawd-Lam-Waw with the root Waw-Sawd-Lam, which occurs in 4:90, 6:136, 11:70, 11:81, 13:21, 28:35, 2:27, 13:21, 13:25, 5:103, 28:51, despite what the above link states)

So you are saying that:

4:43

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تَقْرَبُواْ الصَّلاَةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَارَى حَتَّىَ تَعْلَمُواْ مَا تَقُولُونَ وَلاَ جُنُبًا إِلاَّ عَابِرِي سَبِيلٍ حَتَّىَ تَغْتَسِلُواْ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَى أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاء أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّن الْغَآئِطِ أَوْ لاَمَسْتُمُ النِّسَاء فَلَمْ تَجِدُواْ مَاء فَتَيَمَّمُواْ صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُواْ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا {43}

Transliteration Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la taqraboo alssalata waantum sukara hatta taAAlamoo ma taqooloona wala junuban illa AAabiree sabeelin hatta taghtasiloo wa-in kuntum marda aw AAala safarin aw jaa ahadun minkum mina algha-iti aw lamastumu alnnisaa falam tajidoo maan fatayammamoo saAAeedan tayyiban faimsahoo biwujoohikum waaydeekum inna Allaha kana AAafuwwan ghafooran
Literal You, you those who believed, do not approach the prayers and you are intoxicated , until you know what you are saying, and nor distant from God/impure , except crossing a road/way, until you wash yourselves with water , and if you were sick/diseased or on a long distance travel, or any of you came from the safe and hidden depression in ground used for human discharge (toilet) or you touched repeatedly/touched and felt repeatedly (could mean: had intercourse with) the women, so you did not find water, so wipe your hands and face with dust , pure/good dust, so wipe with your faces and your hands, that God was/is often forgiving/pardoning, forgiving.
Free-Minds O you who believe, do not come near the contact-method while you are drunk, until you know what you are saying. Nor if you have had intercourse, unless travelling, until you bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or one of you has excreted feces, or you had sexual contact with the women, and could not find water: then you shall make ablution with clean soil by wiping your faces and hands. God is Pardoning, Forgiving.
Rashad Khalifa O you who believe, do not observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) while intoxicated, so that you know what you are saying. Nor after sexual orgasm without bathing, unless you are on the road, traveling; if you are ill or traveling, or you had urinary or fecal-related excretion (such as gas), or contacted the women (sexually), and you cannot find water, you shall observe Tayammum (dry ablution) by touching clean dry soil, then wiping your faces and hands therewith. GOD is Pardoner, Forgiver.
Yusuf Ali O ye who believe! Approach not prayers with a mind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say,- nor in a state of ceremonial impurity (Except when travelling on the road), until after washing your whole body. If ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands. For Allah doth blot out sins and forgive again and again.
Shakir O you who believe! do not go near prayer when you are Intoxicated until you know (well) what you say, nor when you are under an obligation to perform a bath-- unless (you are) travelling on the road-- until you have washed yourselves; and if you are sick, or on a journey, or one of you come from the privy or you have touched the women, and you cannot find water, betake yourselves to pure earth, then wipe your faces and your hands; surely Allah is Pardoning, Forgiving.
Pickthal O ye who believe! Draw not near unto prayer when ye are drunken, till ye know that which ye utter, nor when ye are polluted, save when journeying upon the road, till ye have bathed. And if ye be ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from the closet, or ye have touched women, and ye find not water, then go to high clean soil and rub your faces and your hands (therewith). Lo! Allah is Benign, Forgiving.

You are saying that none of these translations have it right, but instead it should be translated as:

?Oh you who believe, do not approach/come near ?the going/turning towards (turning/going towards)? when you are intoxicated, till you can understand all that you say??.?

If that is what you are suggesting, then that doesn?t make any sense to me at all.  That could easily be interpreted to mean not to try and do better if you are intoxicated or have had sex.  Why would Allah tell us such a crazy thing?  Surely this definition does not fit all situations where ?SLW? is used.  There should be no need to give additional examples here.

Once you have done that. You should study the following list in which additional information about salat is presented, from al quran:

mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/think-786/quran_on_salat.htm

As you will hopefully see, the concept of slw (i.e. to turn/go towards) is very broad and can be applied to many things. That is why in al quran, we see it being applied in a general, specific and varied manner, e.g:
those who set-up partners can repent and uphold the salat if they trangressed in the system [9:5, 9:11-12]

So again you are saying, [those who set-up partners can repent and uphold the ?turning/going towards: going/turning towards? if they transgressed in the system?  Maybe it is only me, but this makes no reasonable sense to draw any understanding from.

Can salat mean 'prayer' in this verse? Does The God force people to perform 'prayer' or they will be killed? How would idolaters (i.e. those who set-up partners) pray? Does this make sense to you? Please see these verses in conjunction with 2:256. [additional information]

Yes, in the context given, with proper understanding it makes perfect sense.  Please see my rebuttal to your first article on the subject.

The salat can be neglected, in favour of following desires [19:59]

Interestingly, this verse implies following desires is different (or even in contrast) to maintaining/upholding the salat. Where do desires come from? Ourselves. How can we make sure we dont follow our own desires? What should we follow?

ذَلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لاَ رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ {2}

[Pickthal 2:2] This is the Scripture whereof there is no doubt, a guidance unto those who ward off (evil).

فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَاتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَوَاتِ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا {59}

[Yusufali 19:59] But after them there followed a posterity who missed prayers and followed after lusts soon, then, will they face Destruction,-

قُلْنَا اهْبِطُواْ مِنْهَا جَمِيعاً فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدًى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ {38}

[Yusufali 2:38] We said: "Get ye down all from here; and if, as is sure, there comes to you Guidance from me, whosoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

فَلاَ يَصُدَّنَّكَ عَنْهَا مَنْ لاَ يُؤْمِنُ بِهَا وَاتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ فَتَرْدَى {16}

[Pickthal 20:16] Therefor, let not him turn thee aside from (the thought of) it who believeth not therein but followeth his own desire, lest thou perish.

اتَّبِعْ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ لا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْمُشْرِكِينَ {106}

[Yusufali 6:106] Follow what thou art taught by inspiration from thy Lord: there is no god but He: and turn aside from those who join gods with Allah.

Does this answer the question for you of what we are to follow?

One's salat is to/for God [6:162]

salat is possible between people [33:56, 9:103]

That is why when Zachariah calls/prays (daAAwa) to his Lord, he is considered to be in the act of slw (turning/going towards, linking/bonding/connecting) when communication comes to him. [3:38-39, 19:2-11]etc.

To gain a better understanding of The System/Obligation, it is clear a better understanding of al quran would be required. That is why a regular/timed salat is given. In this regular/timed salat, reading / reflection / oration of al quran is prescribed. This can be done alone or in a group/community setting.

Verses linking slw to al quran: 2:43-45, 4:103, 5:12-13, 7:169-170, 8:2-3, 19:58-59, 29:45, 31:2-7, 33:33-34, 17:78.

the salat should be done during/close to the morning & evening twilight times (i.e. 2x per day) [11:114, 17:78, 24:58]

When one undertakes this regular/timed salat, one should follow the specific guidelines given, e.g: be clean [5:6, 4:43] , clear mind [4:43], moderate tone [17:110] (although this may only apply when in groups due to the context of this verse) etc.

This regular/timed salat is only obligatory upon the mumin (believers/faithful/trustful). Mumin is different to muslim. This is a very important point to consider. Who are the mumin? To find out, see the articles below:

www.free-minds.org/articles/gods_system/mumin.htm
www.free-minds.org/articles/gods_system/thetrust.htm

This makes sense because it is only the mumin (believers/faithful/trustful) who are upholding the scripture. For them, to uphold/maintain the going/turning towards (i.e. link/bond) will be more specific and thus directly related to what the scripture contains, hence reading of it regularly.

Pretty much all of this is agreed to except that ?As-Salaat? means ?going/turning towards?.  Rather it is clear from Allah that ?As-Salaat? is the description of a required ?ritual? for the believers to perform at stated times.

Additional reading material.

If you read everything above (including the links) several times, the concept of salat should be much much clearer.

The concept of ?As-Salaat? is very clear.  It is a required ?ritual? described completely by Allah in Al-Quran.  It is a requirement of ?mu?min? (believers) to perform on a daily basis.  I will later make a post showing the different uses of the root ?SLW? to show how ?As-Salaat? is different when used in the Quran, denoting the physical ritual of prayer.

Lastly, I'd like to mention the concept of zakat. A word often used along with salat. Its commonly taken to mean "charity" but charity is only one aspect of zakat*. Its primary usage in al quran is to mean purification/betterment. If this meaning is taken along with what I've discussed here, it makes much more sense:

When one upholds/maintains (aqimu) the going/turning towards (link/bond) one is then in a position to 'bring forth / produce / show' (atawoo) the purification/betterment. Simple. The two terms reinforce and complement each other.

Although I agree that ?As-Salaat? and ?zakat? are closely related, I will deal with the concept of ?zakat? at another time in another post so as to give it its full attention required, Allah willing.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask. I'll try and answer them if I can.

email the author: 786kas (at) lineone . net

(at) = @
also delete the spaces in the address.

Peace be upon the reader.

NB: an important issue that I have only begun to study is that all the "verses"/signs/ayatin which refer to a time for slw are addressed to the messenger in the Arabic singular (unlike other commands, such as "fasting"/abstinence/sawm), thus may not be applicable to everyone. This for example, may solve the problem of unworkable sun-based schedules in northern countries, e.g. Sweden/Norway during some parts of the year. Also, for orbiting astronauts in space. Therefore, it has been suggested that the timing systems described for slw are meant to be taken as an example, not that they should be applicable to everyone everywhere. Thus, instead of morning & evening, it would be at the start of the working day and at the end (implied in 24:58), whatever that may be for each individual. This aspect of this article will be updated as soon as I have researched it thoroughly.
Please note that 2:185, abstinence is only upon those who are able to witness the month. No such clause exists for salat.

Agreed.  Some of the timing issues with regards to different positions on Earth are necessary to research and get a better understanding for from Al Quran, Allah willing.

*The traditional understanding of "zakat" is that it means "charity". Interestingly, however, even though the word appears over 30 times, not once is it equated/defined as charity, not even a reasonable implication to mean such a thing. The root (Zay-Kaf-Waw) can mean the following: it increased/augmented, it throve/grew well/flourished/prospered and produced fruit, it was/became pure, purification, goodness/righteousness, lead/enjoy a plentiful/easy/soft/delicate life, put into a good/right state/condition, alms, poor-rate/due.

Although I agree that ?As-Salaat? and ?zakat? are closely related, I will deal with the concept of ?zakat? at another time in another post so as to give it its full attention required, Allah willing.

End note: This independent study of slw took place over a period of 4 years. I did not expect to end up with this conclusion, however the evidence was overpowering and I was forced to reject my traditional understanding (based mainly on man-made books) and submit to al quran's teachings. Interestingly, other studies (which I was not aware of at the time) also came to similar conclusions. [see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7]

I have read most of those works and still don?t agree with their conclusions or evidence.  I will continue to rebut them with the evidences that I see clearly in Al Quran.

This article should be utilised in conjunction with the following articles:
mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/think-786/Intelligent_Approach_to_Islam.htm
mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/think-786/Quran_study_tools.htm

If you are reading this and still feel that salat=prayer, and we should rely on traditional hadith (sayings/narrations/stories) to form the sequence/movements/form/recitations of the prayer, ask yourself: does the traditional hadith contain the necessary information to do this? You may be surprised at what you find: members.aol.com/Mamalek2/qbook11.htm

I still believe that As-Salaat=ritual prayer, but I do not believe that we need ?hadith? to learn all that we need to perform this ritual prayer as Allah has prescribed.  I believe that Allah has provided us with all the necessary guidance in Al-Quran to completely perform As-Salaat!  Please see my posts that contain the Quranic evidences based on the book that I am working on to try and finish soon, Allah willing.

Other sources used to add to or check this article:
Arabic-English Lexicon' by E.W. Lane
'Dictionary of The Holy Quran' by Abdul Mannan Omar
'Concordance of Quran' by Hanna E. Kassis

author of think786.cjb.net
member of the free-minds networkThe above article should be read in conjunction with the following article:
mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/think-786/disproved_salatequalsprayer.htm

Looking forward to your comment,

As Salaamu Alaikum, 

[7) UNITS OF AS-SALAAT AND THEIR NUMBER:]

As Salaamu Alaikum Forum,

I pray that this section helps someone, insha Allah.  I look forward to your comments, etc.

7)  UNITS OF AS-SALAAT AND THEIR NUMBER:

A unit of As-Salaat means the complete function of how Allah describes to the believer the way in which to perform As-Salaat.  How to actually perform these units will be discussed throughout the remaining pages of this Part, but here we will show beforehand how many of these units are necessary to perform As-Salaat correctly, insha Allah.  Again, a complete description of what a unit is will be given over the other parts and summarized at the end of this part, insha Allah.

وَإِذَا كُنتَ فِيهِمْ فَأَقَمْتَ لَهُمُ الصَّلاَةَ فَلْتَقُمْ طَآئِفَةٌ مِّنْهُم مَّعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُواْ أَسْلِحَتَهُمْ فَإِذَا سَجَدُواْ فَلْيَكُونُواْ مِن وَرَآئِكُمْ وَلْتَأْتِ طَآئِفَةٌ أُخْرَى لَمْ يُصَلُّواْ فَلْيُصَلُّواْ مَعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُواْ حِذْرَهُمْ وَأَسْلِحَتَهُمْ وَدَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَوْ تَغْفُلُونَ عَنْ أَسْلِحَتِكُمْ وَأَمْتِعَتِكُمْ فَيَمِيلُونَ عَلَيْكُم مَّيْلَةً وَاحِدَةً وَلاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِن كَانَ بِكُمْ أَذًى مِّن مَّطَرٍ أَوْ كُنتُم مَّرْضَى أَن تَضَعُواْ أَسْلِحَتَكُمْ وَخُذُواْ حِذْرَكُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ أَعَدَّ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابًا مُّهِينًا {102}

Transliteration Wa-itha kunta feehim faaqamta lahumu alssalata faltaqum ta-ifatun minhum maAAaka walya/khuthoo aslihatahum fa-itha sajadoo falyakoonoo min wara-ikum walta/ti ta-ifatun okhra lam yusalloo falyusalloo maAAaka walya/khuthoo hithrahum waaslihatahum wadda allatheena kafaroo law taghfuloona AAan aslihatikum waamtiAAatikum fayameeloona AAalaykum maylatan wahidatan wala junaha AAalaykum in kana bikum athan min matarin aw kuntum marda an tadaAAoo aslihatakum wakhuthoo hithrakum inna Allaha aAAadda lilkafireena AAathaban muheenan
Literal And if you were in them, so you started for them the prayer, so a group from them should stand with you, and they should take their weapons/arms, so if they prostrated, so they be from behind you, and another group should come (that) they did not pray, so they pray (E) with you, and they should take their caution, and their weapons/arms; those who disbelieved, wished if you ignore/neglect your weapons/arms, and your belongings/effects/goods, so they lean on you one bend, and no offense/guilt (is) on you if mild harm was with you from rain or you were sick/diseased, that you lay your weapons/arms, and take your caution, that God prepared to the disbelievers a degrading/humiliating torture.
[Yusufali 4:102] When thou (O Messenger) art with them, and standest to lead them in prayer, Let one party of them stand up (in prayer) with thee, Taking their arms with them: When they finish their prostrations, let them Take their position in the rear. And let the other party come up which hath not yet prayed - and let them pray with thee, Taking all precaution, and bearing arms: the Unbelievers wish, if ye were negligent of your arms and your baggage, to assault you in a single rush. But there is no blame on you if ye put away your arms because of the inconvenience of rain or because ye are ill; but take (every) precaution for yourselves. For the Unbelievers Allah hath prepared a humiliating punishment.

This ayat follows the ayat which gives the permission to shorten As-Salaat if you have reason to believe that those who reject faith will cause you harm or danger.  It clearly points out that the Imam, the Messenger in this case, is to divide those praying up into two groups.  The Imam should lead the first group in As-Salaat which is ?shortened? to only one unit, ending with prostration.  While doing so, arms and all precautions should be maintained to protect the believers if possible.  After the first group finishes their prostration and ending of As-Salaat, the second group is to be lead by the same Imam while the first group assumes their position of security behind them.   Security should be maintained and all precautions available taken, unless unavoidable.

This establishes that when As-Salaat is shortened, it is to be performed in two groups, each group performing and finishing with one prostration while the other attends to security behind them!  This is very important when the understanding of the following ayat is added:

فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ الصَّلاَةَ فَاذْكُرُواْ اللّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَى جُنُوبِكُمْ فَإِذَا اطْمَأْنَنتُمْ فَأَقِيمُواْ الصَّلاَةَ إِنَّ الصَّلاَةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَّوْقُوتًا {103}

Transliteration Fa-itha qadaytumu alssalata faothkuroo Allaha qiyaman waquAAoodan waAAala junoobikum fa-itha itma/nantum faaqeemoo alssalata inna alssalata kanat AAala almu/mineena kitaban mawqootan
Literal So if you (P) accomplished the prayers, so mention/remember God standing, and sitting, and on your sides, so if you became secured, so keep up the prayers, that the prayers was/is on the believers decreed (at) appointed times.                                                                                       
[Yusufali 4:103] When ye pass (Congregational) prayers, celebrate Allah's praises, standing, sitting down, or lying down on your sides; but when ye are free from danger, set up Regular Prayers: For such prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times.

Now Allah informs the Messenger and the believers, that when they have finished performing As-Salaat in the shortened form, they are to remember Allah standing, sitting or lying down on their sides, ?duas? are indicated here, please see the section on ?dua? for a complete understanding of this term.  But, when they are secure and not in danger, they are to ?establish? As-Salaat!  This tells us that this shortened version of performing As-Salaat is not the usual way to completely perform As-Salaat.  But Allah has granted it as a special permission for those who are in some sort of danger or distress from those who reject faith because of their environment.  To perform only one unit of As-Salaat containing only one ?Sajdah?, or prostration, would therefore be insufficient under normal circumstances.  Let us see how Allah clarifies this for those who have full faith and trust in His words in Al-Qur?an:

قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَعِظُكُم بِوَاحِدَةٍ أَن تَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ مَثْنَى وَفُرَادَى ثُمَّ تَتَفَكَّرُوا مَا بِصَاحِبِكُم مِّن جِنَّةٍ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ لَّكُم بَيْنَ يَدَيْ عَذَابٍ شَدِيدٍ {46}

Transliteration Qul innama aAAithukum biwahidatin an taqoomoo lillahi mathna wafurada thumma tatafakkaroo ma bisahibikum min jinnatin in huwa illa natheerun lakum bayna yaday AAathabin shadeedin
Literal Say: "Indeed/but I preach to/warn you with one (thing), that (E) you stand to God two twos/twos or singularly/one by one, then you think insanity/madness (is) not with your companion/friend (your messenger is not mad), that truly he is except a warner/giver of notice for you, between a severe torture's hands."
[Yusufali 34:46] Say: "I do admonish you on one point: that ye do stand up before Allah,- (It may be) in pairs, or (it may be) singly,- and reflect (within yourselves): your Companion is not possessed: he is no less than a warner to you, in face of a terrible Penalty."

This ayat has been overlooked, mistranslated, and misunderstood for generations.  Here, the Messenger of Allah is told to admonish or warn the people of one particular thing!  This ?ONE? thing( waaHidatin) is of the utmost importance.  Now Allah has the Messenger to say: ?taqoomoo lilaahi?, that you stand for Allah; ?mathnaa? by twos, and ?furaadaa? one by one!  This admonition is a big key to As-Salaat!  One is warned to first stand for Allah by twos, which is the connection for As-Salaat because it is the same verb used for Aqeemus Salaat.  This denotes that there should be two units of As-Salaat; with each unit ending with Sajdah, or prostration.  But Allah is well aware of what He revealed in Sura 4 ayat 101 ? 103 about As-Salaat being shortened, so the command also contains the command to accomplish it one by one, as described in Sura 4 ayat 102.  By two?s and one by one, are referring to the number of units, not how many people. 

This let?s the believer, in Allah and His infallible word in Al-Qur?an, know that Allah has ordered As-Salaat to be two units of performing the rituals given, each unit ending with prostration.   Only in times of danger, concern or harm by those who reject faith, may the believers protect each other by one group being lead by the Imam in the first unit ending in Sajdah, while the other group holds security for protection.  Then the two groups are to swap places with the same Imam leading the second group in As-Salaat to the prostration completion.  Together, these two groups, one by one, complete the required prescribed function of two units for As-Salaat!

As-Salaamu Alaikum

[4) PHYSICAL PREPARATION FOR; OR UNREADINESS FOR AS-SALAAT:]

As-Salaamu Alaikum Forum,

This is another point of importance in reference to As-Salaat.  Allah has given the believer specific guidelines to observe and obey when performing this function.  Some are very direct, others are obtained through connection of understanding.  Allah has given us the Book to reflect upon its meanings.  Everything is not written down in bullet form for us so that perhaps we will engage our intellects and understand some of the higher principals, knowledge and wisdom that are connected to the "rituals" that Allah may want us to perform.  Again as I have mentioned before, a "ritual" or act of religious worship, is a function that is designed to also perserve knowledge.

I hope this helps and benefits someone, Allah willing.  Looking forward to any comments, etc.

As-Salaamu Alaikum 

4) PHYSICAL PREPARATION FOR; OR UNREADINESS FOR AS-SALAAT:

We will begin with one of the ayah used in the last section, 4:43, on how Allah tells us to be physically prepared for As-Salaat.  We will use three ayah that we are aware of that deal with the aspect of physical preparedness for As-Salaat.  Several key words such as ?ghusl? and ?tahharah? in their various grammatical forms for usage will be pointed out to denote the guidance given to the believer.

Ghasala verb form I ~ to wash

b) impf. act. (yaghtasilu)

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تَقْرَبُواْ الصَّلاَةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَارَى حَتَّىَ تَعْلَمُواْ مَا تَقُولُونَ وَلاَ جُنُبًا إِلاَّ عَابِرِي سَبِيلٍ حَتَّىَ تَغْتَسِلُواْ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَى أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاء أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّن الْغَآئِطِ أَوْ لاَمَسْتُمُ النِّسَاء فَلَمْ تَجِدُواْ مَاء فَتَيَمَّمُواْ صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُواْ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا {43}

Transliteration Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la taqraboo alssalata waantum sukara hatta taAAlamoo ma taqooloona wala junuban illa AAabiree sabeelin hatta taghtasiloo wa-in kuntum marda aw AAala safarin aw jaa ahadun minkum mina algha-iti aw lamastumu alnnisaa falam tajidoo maan fatayammamoo saAAeedan tayyiban faimsahoo biwujoohikum waaydeekum inna Allaha kana AAafuwwan ghafooran
Literal You, you those who believed, do not approach the prayers and you are intoxicated, until you know what you are saying, and nor distant from God/impure, except crossing a road/way, until you wash yourselves with water, and if you were sick/diseased or on a long distance travel, or any of you came from the safe and hidden depression in ground used for human discharge (toilet) or you touched repeatedly/touched and felt repeatedly (could mean: had intercourse with) the women, so you did not find water, so wipe your hands and face with dust, pure/good dust, so wipe with your faces and your hands, that God was/is often forgiving/pardoning, forgiving.
[Yusufali 4:43] O ye who believe! Approach not prayers with a mind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say,- nor in a state of ceremonial impurity (Except when travelling on the road), until after washing your whole body. If ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands. For Allah doth blot out sins and forgive again and again.

The important aspects of this ayat regarding physical preparation for As-Salaat can be pointed out to be those of physical purity.  In this ayat, Allah gives us the command to ?taghtasiloo?, or to ?wash? if we are in a state of impurity, except when traveling; before approaching As-Salaat. ?How to wash? is not yet explained to the believer, but will be done so by Allah in another ayat.  This ayat continues with the command to ?tayammamoo?, or to use clean sand, earth, or dust to wipe your faces and your hands with if, you are on a journey, have used the bathroom, or you have been in contact with women, and you can find no water.
 
c) impv. (ighsil)

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلاةِ فاغْسِلُواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُواْ بِرُؤُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَينِ وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًا فَاطَّهَّرُواْ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَى أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاء أَحَدٌ مَّنكُم مِّنَ الْغَائِطِ أَوْ لاَمَسْتُمُ النِّسَاء فَلَمْ تَجِدُواْ مَاء فَتَيَمَّمُواْ صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُواْ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ مَا يُرِيدُ اللّهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْ حَرَجٍ وَلَـكِن يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهَّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ {6}

Transliteration Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo itha qumtum ila alssalati faighsiloo wujoohakum waaydiyakum ila almarafiqi waimsahoo biruoosikum waarjulakum ila alkaAAbayni wa-in kuntum junuban faittahharoo wa-in kuntum marda aw AAala safarin aw jaa ahadun minkum mina algha-iti aw lamastumu alnnisaa falam tajidoo maan fatayammamoo saAAeedan tayyiban faimsahoo biwujoohikum waaydeekum minhu ma yureedu Allahu liyajAAala AAalaykum min harajin walakin yureedu liyutahhirakum waliyutimma niAAmatahu AAalaykum laAAallakum tashkuroona
Literal You, you those who believed, if you started/got up to the prayers, so wash with water your faces, and your hands to the elbows, and rub/wipe with your heads and your feet to the two joints/ankle bones, and if you wereimpure/unclean, so be purified/cleaned, and if you were sick/diseased or on (a) journey/trip/voyage or one of you came from the safe hidden depression in the ground (toilet), or you touched and felt repeatedly the women, so you did not find water, so wipe your hands and face with dust good/pure dust, so rub/wipe with your faces and your hands from it, God does not want to make/put on you strain/hardship, and but He wants to purify you mentally and physically and to complete (E) His blessing on you, maybe/perhaps you thank/be grateful.
[Yusufali 5:6] O ye who believe! when ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; Rub your heads (with water); and (wash) your feet to the ankles. If ye are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body. But if ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands, Allah doth not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean, and to complete his favour to you, that ye may be grateful.

This ayat is more specific in that Allah tells us exactly how to make ?ghusl? to prepare physically for As-Salaat.  The first command is ?faghsiloo?, or ?wash? your faces.  Continuing in that command is the order to also ?wash? your hands to the elbows, which includes your forearms obviously.  Then Allah tells the believers ?wamsaHoo?, or to rub or wipe clean our heads and feet up to the ankles. 

Allah gives us a new command here for the state of ?junub?, also termed ceremonial impurity; which is ?faT-Tah-haroo?, or to bath your whole body.  This command is for any believer that is in a state of ?junnub?, i.e. one that necessitates ?tah-haroo?, or bathing completely.

Allah again completes and restates His Mercy upon us by stating that if we are ill, on a journey, have relieved ourselves by nature, or have been in contact with women and don?t find water to perform the above functions; we are commanded ?fatay-yam-mamoo?, or to clean with sand, earth or dust our faces and hands before starting As-Salaat.   Allah tells us the He gives us this Mercy because He does not want to make the Deen difficult on us, He wants to purify or cleanse us, and that He wants to complete His Blessings on us so that maybe we will become grateful!

Tahara verb form I ~ to be or become clean or pure

b) impf. act. (yaThuru)

Tahhara verb form II ~ to purify, to cleanse. (n. vb.) purification, cleansing. (pcple. act.) one who purifies or cleanses. (pcple. pass.) purified, clean.

b) impf. act. (yuTahhiru)

taTahhara verb form V ~ to be purified; to cleanse oneself, to keep oneself clean. (pcple. act.) one who cleanses himself.

a) perf. act. (taTahharna)

c) impv. (iTTahar for TaTahhar)

d) pcple. act. (mutaTahhir and muTTahir)

وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْمَحِيضِ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى فَاعْتَزِلُواْ النِّسَاء فِي الْمَحِيضِ وَلاَ تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىَ يَطْهُرْنَ فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ فَأْتُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَكُمُ اللّهُ إِنَّ اللّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ {222}

Transliteration Wayas-aloonaka AAani almaheedi qul huwa athan faiAAtaziloo alnnisaa fee almaheedi wala taqraboohunna hatta yathurna fa-itha tatahharna fa/toohunna min haythu amarakumu Allahu inna Allaha yuhibbu alttawwabeena wayuhibbu almutatahhireena
Literal And they ask/question you about the menstruation, say: "It is mild harm, so separate/withdraw the women in the menstruation, and do not approach them (F) until they be cleaned/purified, so if they became cleaned/purified, so come to them (F), from where/when God ordered you, that God loves/likes the repentant, and He loves/likes the pure/clean.
[Yusufali 2:222] They ask thee concerning women's courses. Say: They are a hurt and a pollution: So keep away from women in their courses, and do not approach them until they are clean. But when they have purified themselves, ye may approach them in any manner, time, or place ordained for you by Allah. For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.

This ayat is important to physical preparedness before As-Salaat because of it?s implication for women.  This ayat tells men not to approach women during their menstrual cycles or post birth bleeding, ?Al-MaHeeD?; until they have cleansed or purified themselves thereof, ?yathurna?.  And when they have cleansed or purified themselves, ?ta-Tah-harna?, then men can approach their wives in the ways approved of by Allah.  This is very important because it connects the state of ?Al-MaHeeD?, or menstruation and post birth bleeding, as one necessitating ?tah-hara? or cleansing and purification.  Allah has told us in the last ayat given, 5:6, that we should not approach As-Salaat in a state necessitating ?tah-hara?.    So this establishes from the Qur?an that women are exempted from As-Salaat as long as they are in a state of ?Al-MaHeed? as a Mercy to them from Allah!

An important point needs to be made here about this special Mercy given to women by Allah.   It specifically deals with the state of bleeding dealing with the womb and the birthing function of women.  This is the method by which Allah has chosen to continue the chain of human life on earth.  The wombs are told to be reverenced in Sura 4 ayat 1.  Allah shows us how He has reverenced the wombs of women and their importance by giving them a special permission to not have to perform As-Salaat because of this state.   This does not in any way denote a ?defiency? in a female?s religion as is commonly stated or believed.  That would clearly be against the Qur?an, since Allah has told us to reverence the wombs that bore us.  Also the word for the womb itself, ?Al-ArHaam?, comes from the word ?RaHma?, which means mercy. ?RaHma? is the root word of the two most used attributes of Allah, Ar-RaHmaan and Ar-RaHeem!  

To be continued.....Allah willing

[Aqeemus Salaat: Establishing The Prayer According to the Qur?an Only!]

As Salaamu Alaikum Forum,

These are the BOOK CONTENT pages from the book I have been mentioning in my posts about As-Salaat.  I am posting it just for the curiosity of those who would be interested.  I believe that as followers of the Quran only and leaving off the baggage of Hadeeth followers, knowing and accepting that we still have a "ritual prayer" to perform is a complex issue for us.  In my own personal search to still satisfy this criteria, I have relied on a lot of articles and posts from others to spark direction that I got from the guidance given by Allah in Al-Quran. 

For anyone wanting help or that thinks that a portion of this work would be of use to them, send me an email or message and I will see if I can get you what I have so far that could or may be of benefit to you, Allah willing.  I am sure that there will be much critic to the work based on the general atmosphere and intention of the forum, and I have no problem with that.   This is just an attempt to help others as well as myself, Allah willing.

As Salaamu Alaikum 

Aqeemus Salaat: Establishing The Prayer According to the Qur?an Only!

CONTENTS

About this E-Book?   

Acknowledgements???..   

Preface??..   

Introduction to this E-Book?...??   

PART ONE

?QUR?ANIC SALAAT?

INTRODUCTION                              

PREFACE                                  

1) WHAT IS AS-SALAAT!                            

2) AS-SALAAT WAS ENJOINED BY ALLAH UPON ALL THE MESSENGERS, PROPHETS AND THEIR PEOPLE!
                           
3) AS-SALAAT SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED BY THE INDIVIDUAL, UPON THEIR FAMILY, AND THEN AS A COMMUNITY
    FUNCTION OF CONGREGATION!          

4) A SIGN OF THOSE WHO HAVE TRUE AND SINCERE TRUSTING FAITH IN ALLAH IS THAT THEY ESTABLISH AND
    MAINTAIN AS-SALAAT!             

PART TWO

?THE PURPOSE AND BENEFITS OF AS-SALAAT?

INTRODUCTION                               

PREFACE                         

1) WHAT IS AS-SALAAT FOR?                          

2) THE REASONS FOR AS-SALAAT!                     

3) THE BENEFITS OF AS-SALAAT!                     

4) THE REASONS WHY ALLAH DOESN?T ACCEPT AS-SALAAT FROM SOME PEOPLE!

PART THREE

?HOW TO PERFORM AS-SALAAT ACCORDING TO THE QUR?AN ONLY?

INTRODUCTION                               

PREFACE                               

1)   AS-SALAAT IS COMMANDED TO BE ESTABLISHED AT THE WRITTEN TIMES GIVEN THE QUR?AN BY ALL THOSE WHO
      HAVE TRUSTING FAITH IN ALLAH!          

2)   THE QUR?ANIC NAMES AND TIMES OF AS-SALAAT ORDERED BY ALLAH!   

3)   MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL PREPARATION FOR SALAAT!            

4)   PHYSICAL PREPARATION FOR; OR UNREADINESS FOR AS-SALAAT!         

5)   QIBLAH: THE DIRECTION TO FACE FOR AS-SALAAT!                 

6)   NUUDIYAH: THE CALL TO AS-SALAAT!                  

7)   UNITS OF AS-SALAAT AND THEIR NUMBER:                
         
8    WHAT TO SAY OR RECITE DURING AS-SALAAT:                

9)   HOW TO RECITE DURING AS-SALAAT:                      

10) THE POSITIONS OF AS-SALAAT:                        

11) RISING: THE TIMES AND FUNCTION OF RISING AND WHAT TO SAY DURING AS-SALAAT:
                                  
12) QIYAM: THE STANDING FUNCTION AND WHAT TO SAY DURING AS-SALAAT!   

13) RUKU: THE BOWING FUNCTION AND WHAT TO SAY DURING AS-SALAAT:      

14) SUJOOD: THE PROSTRATING FUNCTION AND WHAT TO SAY DURING AS-SALAAT:

15) HOW TO END AS-SALAAT:                  

16) CONTINUATION OF WHAT TO SAY AFTER AS-SALAAT IS FINISHED:      

17) SHORTENING OF AS-SALAAT PER THE QUR?ANIC PERMISSION:       

18) SUMMARY OF HOW TO MAKE AS-SALAAT            

PART FOUR

?MODES OF PRAYER FROM THE QUR?AN?

INTRODUCTION                            

PREFACE                               

1)  TAHAJJUD: PRAYER FOR EXTRA CREDIT!                  

2)  DUA: CALLING ON ALLAH FOR A NEED!                     

3)  ISTIKHARAH:  ASKING ALLAH FOR GUIDANCE IN A MATTER!         

4)  SUBHANALLAH: GLORIFYING ALLAH!                  

5)  HAMDULILAAH: PRAISING ALLAH!                  

6)  ISTAGHFARALLAH: ASKING ALLAH FOR FORGIVENESS!         

7)  IBTAHALLAH: BESEECHING ALLAH TO CURSE!               

8   YAJHARULLAH: DIFFERENT TIMES OF CALLING ON ALLAH BY HIS MANY NAMES!   

PART FIVE

?CONCLUSIONS?

SUMMARY                               

1)  EVERYTHING IN THE HEAVENS AND EARTH MAKES AS-SALAAT!      

2)  THOSE WHO ARE TRUE IN FAITH DON?T ALLOW AS-SALAAT TO BE WASTED!

3)  AS-SALAAT, SACRIFICE, LIFE AND DEATH ARE ALL FOR ALLAH!       

FINAL WORDS                            

As-Salaamu Alaikum Forum,

As I have mentioned in a couple of my other posts, I am going to attach the files that include the summary of How to Perform As Salaat from the Quran Only.  As I have mentioned, this is the summary of the work from a book that I am working on entitled "Aqeemus Salaat: Establishing As-Salaat (The Prayer) According to the Qur?an Only!".  This part is a summary of the whole, which is way too much to post on here.

I have divided the summary into three pdf files to download because of their size.  I will have to attach each part of the three in a different post because of the size limitation for attachments in one post.  I did not and I am not going to format it to fit on here simply because it will take me too long.  All of the formatting and ayats will not copy directly into a post on here.  

For those of you who do not believe that "As-Salaat" is a "formal" prayer with movements, etc., you may not want to waste your time on this post.  I have read almost all of the articles and posts on the subject, and understand that there are varying opinions on the issue.  Obviously at this point I am not in agreement with those who believe that "As-Salaat" is not a "formal" prayer with structure and movement.  Therefore if you believe that, you posts supporting that or giving me the links that I have already read will be of no use.

For those of you who do still believe that "As-Salaat" is a formal prayer that we should be conducting daily, I would love to hear what you think about this section involving the call to As-Salaat.  My approach is by using the words of the Quran and subject matter to make connections and understanding for what Allah is relaying to us.  Plus feel free, as I know you will, to use your dictionaries, lexicons, knowledge of Arabic and logic with reason to disagree, agree or point out any mistakes and/or additions that you think are revelant. 

In my research on the topic, using portions of many of the articles on this site and others, as well as my own background and understanding from Al Quran, I have found the entire As-Salaat to be detailed in the Quran with all that we need to understand how to perform this act of submission, obedience, and worship.

I may posts additional portions of the book as time passes, but I am still reviewing it and making changes or additions as I come across new information or a better understanding of the process.  I am very comfortable with what I have so far and I enjoy making As Salaat much more each day now than I ever did before when I practised it the "sunni" way.

May Allah continue to have Mercy on us all and guide us to the Siratul Mustaqeem, Insha Allah

As Salaamu Alaikum 

[The attached refutation below in a pdf. file]

As Salaamu Alaikum Forum,

The attached refutation below in a pdf. file is my rebuttal to the article mentioned that was written by Wakas.  I am a firm believer that salaat does mean "ritual prayer" as defined by Quran, dictionaries and lexicons.  This meaning does not negate the additional meanings such as oath/bond, etc. that go to further enhance the understanding of what the purpose of Salaat is.  It is clear that the root of the word has been used in many different forms in Al Quran and of course each of these different forms and usages will have shades of meaning that are different depending on their grammatical form and context as used by Allah in Al Quran.

It is important to point out what Wakas has said to me in a previous post:

Anyways, I appreciate you reading over the article I wrote. You said you disagreed with it. I would be interested to know what specific points you disagreed with.
Also, that article should also be read with the following article:
http://www.mypercept.co.uk/slw.htm

It actually does not eliminate the meaning of "prayer" altogether.

Although I have read the additional article once, I have not read it again and gone through it thoroughly enough to make comments about it right now.  I do intend to read it again and then add additional comments to this thread as time permits, Allah willing.  So please keep that in mind as you read the refutation.

Considering my position on Salaat, I will also post in a separate thread exactly how and what I currently say in my own personal salaat as derived from my own Quranic understanding.  This summary is from a much larger book which details how I got to the conclusions in the summary.  Since they are not given in the summary, of course the user is free to take it or use it as best suits them and their own personal level of growth and understanding.  As I continue to proof read and complete the book, I will post additional sections of it, as I have already done some, as Allahs permits me to do.

I will also continue to read the articles and posts of others who take the position that salaat does not mean ritual prayer in Al Quran, and then I will post my rebuttals and refutations to those as well, as time permits, Allah willing.  I believe this issue is critical because it is a major requirement given by Allah in Al Quran for believers to fulfill, regardless of what you think it is or is not.  Those of you who have accepted the view presented by the article by Wakas, other's articles or posts, or your own research and understanding of the subject matter, please feel free to rejoin this great debate from a Quran only standpoint.  I look forward to the dialogue, Allah willing.

As Salaamu Alaikum 

["What is As-Salaat"]

As Salaamu Alaikum Forum,

This is my work on "What is As-Salaat" contained in an (e)-book entitled "Aqeemus Salaat: Establishing As-Salaat (The Prayer) According to the Qur?an Only!", that I am working on for free online publication soon, Allah willing.

I have read as many of the posts that I can that say "Salaat" does not mean "ritual prayer".  I have especially reviewed over and over again the article by Wakas I believe that states something like "once and for all proved salaat does not equal prayer".  I still disagree with this overall conclusion based on my own research of the Quran.  I have also seen the articles and posts by those such as Idolfree that say salaat equal "programming", i.e. meditation, etc.  I intend to soon post rebuttals to these that I don't expect to be very long, but will make the argument, assuming that I have the time and that Allah permits me to do so.

For those of you who do not believe that "As-Salaat" is a "formal" prayer with movements, etc., you may not want to waste your time on this post.  I have read almost all of the articles and posts on the subject, and understand that there are varying opinions on the issue.  Obviously at this point I am not in agreement with those who believe that "As-Salaat" is not a "formal" prayer with structure and movement.  Therefore if you believe that, you posts supporting that or giving me the links that I have already read will be of no use.

For those of you who do still believe that "As-Salaat" is a formal prayer that we should be conducting daily, I would love to hear what you think about this section involving the call to As-Salaat.  My approach is by using the words of the Quran and subject matter to make connections and understanding for what Allah is relaying to us.  Plus feel free, as I know you will, to use your dictionaries, lexicons, knowledge of Arabic and logic with reason to disagree, agree or point out any mistakes and/or additions that you think are revelant. 

In my research on the topic, using portions of many of the articles on this site and others, as well as my own background and understanding from Al Quran, I have found the entire As-Salaat to be detailed in the Quran with all that we need to understand how to perform this act of submission, obedience, and worship.

I may posts additional portions of the book as time passes, but I am still reviewing it and making changes or additions as I come across new information or a better understanding of the process.  I am very comfortable with what I have so far and I enjoy making As Salaat much more each day now than I ever did before when I practised it the "sunni" way.

May Allah continue to have Mercy on us all and guide us to the Siratul Mustaqeem, Insha Allah

Here it is:

1)   WHAT IS AS-SALAAT!

The term ?As-Salaat? translated in English as ?The Prayer?, referring to the Islamic form of ritual worship to Allah, comes from the Arabic root Saad-Lam-Waw and has the following meanings, taken from Classical Arabic lexicons (e.g. E. W Lane): prayer, supplication, petition, oration, eulogy, benediction, commendation, blessing, honour, magnify, bring forth, follow closely, walk/follow behind closely, to remain attached, to contact or to be in contact.

The Quran uses the term "Aqeemus Salaat" quite often which is usually translated as "Establish Prayer." The root of Aqeemu comes from ?qaa-ma,? which means: to stand, to be balanced, to have a just, fair and long-term strategy for dealing with problems, and to be steadfast. Therefore, Aqeemus Salaat can be translated "to Establish Prayer", as a permanent and balanced system in which human beings can follow the Divine Code in all aspects of their lives individually, as well as collectively. "Prayer" in english is not completely sufficient to describe "Salaat", because many other words in the Quran denote "prayer" as well.  Therefore these other terms as well, will be dealt with later on in this book to establish what is the difference.

In Islam, Aqeemus Salaat is the most compulsory act, after the declaration of faith, the "shahadah".  The Muslim prayer (salat) is a religious observance that believers are commanded to perform throughout the course of their lives, the times of which have been stipulated. Human beings are prone to forgetfulness and heedlessness. If they fail to use their will and become caught up in the flow of daily life, they move away from subjects to which they should actually turn their attention and cling to. They forget that Allah enfolds and surrounds them in all ways, that He sees and can hear them at every moment, and that they will have to account to Allah for all they do.   They forget death, the existence of Paradise and Hell, that nothing can happen that is not permitted by Allah, and that there is something auspicious in everything and every event.  By falling into heedlessness, they can forget the true purpose of life.

As-Salat performed at the daily prescribed times, eradicates that forgetfulness and heedlessness, and keeps the believer's will and awareness alive. It ensures that believers constantly turn to Allah and assists believers in living in the light of Allah?s commandments. The believers who stand in the presence of Allah in order to pray establish a powerful spiritual bond and contact with our Lord.

This system was given first to our foreparents, Adam and his spouse, after they were expelled from the Paradise for disobeying Allah.  They repented after realizing their mistake, but were still to suffer the consequences of their own actions.  But Allah is the Most Merciful and Oft-Forgiving and thus offered Adam, his spouse, and their offspring a way for eternal salvation and forgiveness:

قُلْنَا اهْبِطُواْ مِنْهَا جَمِيعاً فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدًى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ {38}

Transliteration Qulna ihbitoo minha jameeAAan fa-imma ya/tiyannakum minnee hudan faman tabiAAa hudaya fala khawfun AAalayhim wala hum yahzanoona
Literal We said: "Drop/decline from it, all together, so when a guidance from Me comes to you, so who followed My guidance, so no fear/fright on them and nor they be sad/grieving."
[Yusufali 2:38] We said: "Get ye down all from here; and if, as is sure, there comes to you Guidance from me, whosoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
   
This ayaat gives us a description of why As-Salaat is so important.  After Adam and his spouse had disobeyed Allah and were removed from the Paradise and made to live on the Earth, Allah promised them that guidance would come to them while on the Earth.  The correct and complete following of this guidance from Allah gives the follower the promise that on them shall be no fear no shall they grieve.  This final guidance to humanity on Earth is today in the form of Al-Quran Al-?Atheem!  When the human being makes As-Salaat for remembrance of Allah, they are following this guidance in the best way.  When properly performed with sincere intentions, the benefits of As-Salaat flow over into the everyday life and affairs of the human being and cause them to be a creation that is pleasing to Allah.  Thereby, Allah bestows Mercy, Forgiveness and more Blessings upon this human being from His unlimited amount of substinence that only Allah can provide!

وَاتَّبِعُوا أَحْسَنَ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ العَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ {55}

Transliteration WaittabiAAoo ahsana ma onzila ilaykum min rabbikum min qabli an ya/tiyakumu alAAathabu baghtatan waantum la tashAAuroona
Literal And follow best (of) what was descended to you from your Lord from before that the torture comes to you suddenly/unexpectedly, and (while) you do not know/feel/sense.
[Yusufali 39:55] "And follow the best of (the courses) revealed to you from your Lord, before the Penalty comes on you - of a sudden while ye perceive not!-

Al-Qur?an Al-?Atheem is the best of what is revealed to humanity from Allah.  It is nothing different from all of the previous scriptures revealed.  The reason it is the best is because Allah has protected it from corruption by man and preserved its message for all who sincerely seek His Guidance and Truth.  Allah instructs humanity to follow the best in it also.  Al-Qur?an has many parables and examples in it, some showing the best path and some showing the wrong paths.  Allah instructs those who have trusting faith in Him to follow only that which shows and leads to the best path, or the Siraltul Mustaqeem.  The following of this course will save those among humanity who follow it from the Penalty for disobedience, before it comes upon them while they perceive it not!

إِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِآيَاتِنَا الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا بِهَا خَرُّوا سُجَّدًا وَسَبَّحُوا بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ {15}

Transliteration Innama yu/minu bi-ayatina allatheena itha thukkiroo biha kharroo sujjadan wasabbahoo bihamdi rabbihim wahum la yastakbiroona
Literal Truly/indeed (who) believes with Our verses/evidences (are) those who if they were reminded with it they fell down prostrating and they praised/glorified with their Lord's praise/gratitude, and they do not be arrogant.                                                                                                           
[Yusufali 32:15] Only those believe in Our Signs, who, when they are recited to them, fall down in prostration, and celebrate the praises of their Lord, nor are they (ever) puffed up with pride.

A sign of those among mankind who accept the guidance given to them by the ayah of Al-Qur?an, is that they are not puffed up with pride when the Guidance is recited to them.  Instead, they humble themselves and fall down in prostration and glorify with praise their Lord!

تَتَجَافَى جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ {16}

Transliteration Tatajafa junoobuhum AAani almadajiAAi yadAAoona rabbahum khawfan watamaAAan wamimma razaqnahum yunfiqoona
Literal Their sides distances/becomes restless from the places of laying down (beds), they call their Lord fearfully and desiring/coveting, and from what We provided for them they spend.       
[Yusufali 32:16] Their limbs do forsake their beds of sleep, the while they call on their Lord, in Fear and Hope: and they spend (in charity) out of the sustenance which We have bestowed on them.

A sign of those who have the highest regard for trusting faith in Allah and His Signs are those who do extra prayers in the night while forsaking sleep.  They have loving fear of their Lord, Creator and Sustainer for hope of the best in this life and the best of the afterlife.  To show their reverence and appreciation, they maintain their prayers and spend of their wealth for those in need!